Luke 20:23

Luke 20:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?
• New International Version (NIV)He saw through their duplicity and said to them,
• English Standard Version (ESV)But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them,
• New King James Version (NKJV)But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Why do you test Me?

Context of Luke 20:23

21They asked Him, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and that You show no partiality to anyone, but teach the way of God truthfully. 22Is it lawful [according to Jewish law and tradition] for us to pay taxes (tribute money) to Caesar or not?” But He saw through their trickery and said to them, 24“Show Me a [Roman] denarius. Whose image and inscription does the coin have?” They answered, “[the Emperor Tiberius] Caesar’s.” 25He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Luke 20:23 word by word

κατανοήσας δὲ αὐτῶν τὴν πανουργίαν εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούςRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• he perceivedκατανοέωkatanoeō · to observeG2657
• theirαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• craftinessὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• craftinessπανουργίαpanourgia · craftinessG3834
• and saidλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• untoπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• Whyτίςtis · which?G5101
• tempt yeπειράζωpeirazō · to test/tempt: temptG3985
• meἐγώegō · I/weG1473

Cross-references for Luke 20:23

• Luke 5:22But Jesus, knowing their [hostile] thoughts, answered them, “Why are you questioning [these things] in your hearts?
• Luke 6:8But He was aware of their thoughts, and He said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward.” So he got up and stood there.
• Luke 11:17But He, well aware of their thoughts and purpose, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is doomed to destruction; and a house divided against itself falls.
• John 2:24But Jesus, for His part, did not entrust Himself to them, because He knew all people [and understood the superficiality and fickleness of human nature],
• 1 Corinthians 3:19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness (absurdity, stupidity) before God; for it is written [in Scripture], “[He is] The one who catches the wise and clever in their craftiness;”
• Hebrews 4:13And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account.
• Luke 20:20So they watched [for a chance to trap] Him. They sent spies who pretended to be upright and sincere, in order that they might catch Him in some statement [that they could distort and use against Him], so that they could turn Him over to the control and authority of [Pilate] the governor.
• Luke 11:16Others, trying to test Him, were demanding of Him a sign from heaven.
• Psalms 95:9“When your fathers tested Me, They tried Me, even though they had seen My work [of miracles].
• Matthew 16:1Now the Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus [to get something to use against Him], they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven [which would support His divine authority].
• Matthew 22:18But Jesus, aware of their malice, asked, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites?
• 1 Corinthians 10:9We must not tempt the Lord [that is, test His patience, question His purpose or exploit His goodness], as some of them did—and they were killed by serpents.

Commentaries on Luke 20:23

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20-38Verses 20-38 See this explained in the Mark 12:13-27 notes.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 20-26Verses 20-26 Those who are most crafty in their designs against Christ and his gospel, cannot hide them. He did not give a direct answer, but reproved them for offering to impose upon him; and they could not fasten upon any thing wherewith to stir up either the governor or the people against him. The wisdom which is from above, will direct all who teach the way of God truly, to avoid the snares laid for them by wicked men; and will teach our duty to God…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20-26The religious leaders asked this question to trap Jesus, but he answered in a way that avoided their trap.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 20-4020-26. sent forth--after consulting (Mt 22:15) on the best plan. spies--"of the Pharisees and Herodians" (Mr 12:13). See Mr 3:6.Read the comment

Topics related to Luke 20:23

• Citizens
• Craftiness
• Jesus, the Christ
• Law

In the dictionaries

• Craft; Craftiness; Crafty
• Jesus Christ
• Luke, the Gospel of
• Money
• Caesar

Commentaries on Luke 20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings